FUNCTIONS, ROLES AND PERFORMANCE OF SMCs IN SCHOOL EDUCATION ACROSS INDIA

Abstract

The Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, provides an opportunity to the community to be part of school education. It states that schools must consist of School Management Committees (SMCs). SMCs must consist of members ranging from headmaster, teachers and parents of the students studying in the school. According to DISE Report 2015-16, 94% of the schools have constituted SMCs across India. These SMC members are given some responsibilities that vary from monitoring the quality of education and developing a School Development Plan. Few research studies conducted in various parts of the country such as Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh show a picture of how SMCs are performing. It seems like most of the School Management Committee members are unaware of their roles and responsibilities across the country and wherever there is awareness, their voices remain unheard. Their plans do not reach the responsible authorities for execution. Some of the education departments, NGOs (Non-Government Organizations) and other organizations are working towards making the members of SMCs efficient so that they become aware of the roles they have to play and can take capable decisions but still a lot has to be done. An effective bottom up approach is required so that decisions taken and plans made at the root level reaches the authorities responsible to execute the plans and decisions. Therefore, the researcher has critically analyzed the working and performance of SMCs and suggested few ways for improvement.